God’s Grandeur Theme of Life, Consciousness, and Existence
Among other things, "God’s Grandeur" proposes that the meaning of life and the purpose of human existence can be discovered through nature. As an expression both of intense anxiety and of intense joy, this poem can seem to be on the serious side. But all the language play within the poem lightens the tone, and can give us a different perspective on life, whether we agree with the poem’s ideas or not.
Questions About Life, Consciousness, and Existence
- What is the meaning of life, according to the speaker? It’s not explicitly stated, but what would you guess. (There is more than one answer.)
- Does the speaker seem like a person who enjoys life? Why or why not?
- How would you describe the speaker’s state of mind? What would the speaker’s "ideal" life style be?
- Does the poem suggest anything about the afterlife? If so, what? If not, why do you think the speaker doesn’t mention it?
Chew on This
The speaker in "God’s Grandeur" doesn’t understand the problems of a person who has to work to exist in the world.